Simmons SDS7 Digital Analog Drum System (1983) / hybrid analog drum synthesizer & 8 bit PCM rompler

video upload by ohm_studi_ohm

"in the first part of the video I run a simple pattern on a Roland TR8s that triggers the SDS7, and I demo a few kits I programmed.

On the second part I play live drums over a simple kick / hat / clap pattern and review the same drum kits and finally I play the sounds alone.

I'm no drummer so forgive my playing. These last parts are mainly intended as to demo how the SDS7 handles dynamics.

recorded through a Tapco 4400A reverb. No other fx or editing.

The Simmons SDS7 combines analog drum synthetis and 8 bits sample playing.
Each voice lets you blend 1x VCO (CEM3340), 1x 8 bit sample on eprom (like many 80s drum machines ie LinnDrum, Oberheim DMX, Sequential Circuits DrumTraks etc), 1x noise generator and 1x click generator.
Then those 4 sources pass through a nice 24db resonant filter (CEM3372), which doubles as VCA. There is a simple cutoff enveloppe and vca release parameter, and both the VCO and sample have a simple pitch enveloppe as long as a lfo to pitch modulation depth. The lfo speed can go to audio range thus enabling FM tone, great for bells and fx.
All voices card pcbs are the same except for the eprom containing the sample and this can be replaced with other sound (the clap on this unit is a CR8000 clap i programmed for instance).
There is however a second type of card, hi hats card, that differs from the basic one with some more components that let the voice be controlled by the hi hat pedal (decay of the sound mainly). It's easy to modify a regular card to a hi hat card, and to build a simple adapter in order to use a momentary switch pedal to act as the hi hat pedal. You can even use a progressive pedal to mimic the opening of the pedal, this is what I'm using and doing on the video (off screen). Info on how to achieve this are available on this site (thanks to the author for sharing this ): https://www.drummachines.de/beatboxer... If you're interested in these units tons of info are available on that site (again thanks to the author for the great job): https://snw.lonningdal.no/sds7.php"

Simmons SDS EPB Eprom Blower Burner

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via this eBay listing

Additional Tone Tweakers Listings

"This item has been fully serviced and tested. Use this device to burn samples onto EPROMs for your Simmons SDS7 SDS1 SDS series drum synths and possibly other EPROM based drum machines. If you've used this successfully with other drum machines, please let us know. EPROMs not included.

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4/5/25 (B: ROCK 2/8) Korg KR-55b + Ace Tone VM-80 + Paia 6740

video upload by Cfpp0

"I can’t remember the last time I used this modded Korg KR-55b, so it was high time we moved it from the pull-out rack shelf. That made room for the Simmons SDS8, which is now on that shelf, below the SDS7. We got an “as-is” SDS6 sequencer a few years ago and it has finally been repaired and on its way back, so we’re getting prepared. And now the TAMA TSQ-1000 drum sequencer is up for sale at Christopher’s Boutique 489 on Reverb. Anyways, this KR-55b was modified by SD Machines with decay and pitch controls, external 5v clock input, as well as individual audio outputs. Those six outputs are patched to the six Ace Tone VM-80 inputs, which are overloading hard. The VM-80 mono output runs to the Mackie Onyx 1640 mixer, where the Paia 6740 spring reverb is added on an aux send."

Top 10 Kits from SDS7 2471

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video upload by The Simmons Guy

The Simmons Guy Reverb Shop

Simmons SDS7 Drum Synth SN 70700

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via this listing

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Simmons SDS7 1722 Alternate Eproms 3

video upload by The Simmons Guy

"Quick bit from SDS7 1722 featuring alternate eproms. BD-909, SD-808, T1-Moog Zap, T2-LinnDrum Side Stick, T3-CR78 Metal, HH-Owner of a Lonely Heart hit, CYM-SDX Gamelan."

Simmons SDS7 Drum Synthesizer & Face Plate Replacement

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Two separate listings.

SDS7 Drum Synthesizer via this auction

Face Plate Replacement via this auction

Tone Tweakers eBay | Reverb

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"This unit has been meticulously refurbished and is working like new again and better than the rest.

In additional to sorting out any problems, we paid our tech to make this unit better than others on the market, a process that took a whopping 30 hours of skilled vintage synth tech time, plus parts costs.

Fully disassembled and cleaned inside and out
Replaced electrolytic capacitors in power supply
Resoldered regulators
Replaced all RAM (6166 x 10)
Installed new battery
Reloaded sounds off cartridge to first 80 kit banks
Cleaned all switch contacts
Replaced many IC sockets
There was a broken XLR connector, so we had to painstakingly remove the original rivets to remove the circuit board, replace the connector, and then Instal new rivets for 13 female XLR connectors - a time consuming PITA
Cleaned and lubed all pots

This unit is intentionally priced at what we believe to be top market value because of the big investment of time, love and money to make it better than others you may find.

7089x"

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Simmons SDS7 s/n1722 Top 10 Kits & Alternative Eproms

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video upload by The Simmons Guy

"Quick run through of my favorite Kits from Simmons SDS7 s/n1722 available at Reverb.com."

Simmons SDS7 s/n1722 with Alternate Eproms

video upload by The Simmons Guy

"Quick run through of Simmons SDS8 s/n 1722 loaded with alternate eproms that are included in the sale."

via this auction

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Simmons SDS7 Drum Synthesizer Module Brain Meticulously Serviced by Professionals

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video upload by tonetweakers

http://www.tonetweakers.com

Tone Tweakers eBay | Reverb

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Boring Systematic Testing of Simmons SDS7 drum synth modules / insomnia cure

video upload by tonetweakers

"When you deal in vintage synths, attention to detail is essential, because every physical control or electronic component has the potential to be problematic. So we test our gear multiple times systematically over an extended period (with a long burn in test) to make sure we don’t overlook anything. Many of our so called competitors dont, which is why we have many loyal customers. In this video, we are systematically testing the last of 8 Simmons SDS7 modules. Its a boring but necessary process. Anyone familiar with sds7 editing knows that one push of the wrong button and the sound you were editing is erased and you’ve gotta start over. This only happened once while testing this set of modules. 😂

Thanks for watching!

Buy vintage synths that work like new at tonetweakers.com

Tone Tweakers Inc.
Buy / Sell / Trade / Repair Vintage Synthesizers
http://www.tonetweakers.com"

Simmons SDS7 Analog Electronic (LOADED) Vintage GERMAN DRUM SYNTHESIZER

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via this auction

Cards:
BASS
BRIGHT SNARE
BRIGHT TOM
BRIGHT TOM
BRIGHT TOM

Pic of the inside below.

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Simmons SDS7 1140 HiHat Waveform Select Mod

video upload by The Simmons Guy

"Quick demo of the Waveform Select mod on HiHat using the Ramp wave and tweaking the filter frequency."

Simmons SDS7 1518 Top 12

video upload by The Simmons Guy

"Top 12 Kits from Simmons SDS7 1518. Eproms featured are:

BD1 - Linn LM1
SD - Linn LM1
T1, 2 - Simmons Electronic Tom
T3, 4 - Emu SP12 Tom
BD2 - Rhodes Polaris BD"

SIMMONS SDS7 Electronic Drum Kit Machine w/ Pads SN 7226x

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via this auction

Additional Tone Tweakers Listings

"We often have just the synth section for sale. This sale is for the whole kit - it includes the synth brain with 6 modules - bass, snare, tom 1, tom 2, tom 3 and hi hat - program selector pad, 5 small drum pads, 1 large kick drum pad, miscellaneous cables, and carrying bags that fit all pieces other than the brain.

This unit was tested when purchased and is in perfect working order with the exception of the selector pad - the 2 and 4 columns don't seem to be working. Since most people use these in the studio and kit selection is also easy using the data knob, we were planning on selling it the way it is. However, if it's a deal-breaker, let us know and we can have our tech investigate."

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Simmons SDS7 Waveform Select Mod Demo

video by The Simmons Guy

"Quick demo of the Waveform Select Switch. Allows you to access the unused Ramp and Pulse wave outputs on the CEM3340."

More from The Simmons Guy

Simmons SDS7 1560 with Alternate Eproms

video by The Simmons Guy

"Dirty 808 BD in 1, LM1 SD in 2, Rhodes Polaris BD in 3, TR909 Clap in 4 (tuned super low), LM1 Clap in 5, Simmons Ride Cymbal in 6 (as HH)."

Simmons SDS7 #1560 Top 16

video by The Simmons Guy

"My favorite 16 Kits from Simmons SDS7 #1560"

See the Simmons label below for more.

Simmons SDS7 #1560 Kits 1 16

video by The Simmons Guy

"Quick run through of Kits 1-16 on Simmons SDS7 #1560"

Simmons SDS7 #1280​ Top 12 Kits

video by The Simmons Guy

"A few Kits from Simmons SDS7 #1280​."

Simmons SDS7 2230 Test Drive & Mods Tour

The Simmons Guy

"Quick demo of heavily modified Simmons SDS7 2230."

Simmons SDS7 2230 Mods Tour
The Simmons Guy

"Quick run-through of the modifications to Simmons SDS7 2230."